Not being a US resident can someone explain the 993 RS supply / import position into America.

I appreciate that the RS was never approved for export to America, is there a time limit to this or are they prohibited full stop?

 

Without even touching the topic of proper federalization of a car not designed for American import...;

In Canada you can import a non-American market car 15 years after it's production date, no problem. No testing required, etc., it's old enough they don't care. So for Canada, 993RS is free and clear.

For the U.S. it is the same, except the limit is 25 years. Mexico I don't know.

Now lightly touching the topic of federalization;

Today it would almost certainly cost north of 100-200k to properly federalize an outside-market car (i.e. non-American VIN) for use in America that is not 15 or 25 years old respectively. At least in the U.S., maybe cheaper in Canada. Either way, that's probably for limited use.

And then the car would probably sit in customs long enough that you should've just waited the extra five years (if you're in the U.S.)

Just talk to Mr. Gates about the 959. Although things have changed quite a bit then.

It's much easier to bring in a car as 'off-road use only' or 'show and display,' the latter being what came about from the 959 drama.

It might have been vaguely feasible to import the car when it was new. Regulations are now much more stringent. Must be emission tested, possibly require an extra copy to crash test, etc.. EPA doesn't care that it's an engine similar to a American 993, it wasn't designed for the American market and therefore is guilty of terrifying emissions until proven innocent. Also the gov doesn't care that for crash-testing purposes it is essentially a 993 coupe. Engine+transmission are different (considered structural elements), seats are different, no airbags IIRC, and it has some spoilers on it that definitely could alter things.

You can begin to imagine that for a manufacturer to federalize a car for normal use costs millions of dollars - a price that they must debate is worth it. Porsche manages to import most or all of its models it sells in Europe also to America. Manufacturers like Audi and VW do not - there are tons of models not imported to America.

Some people think the 'grey-market' still exists; it does not. That was shut down in the eighties once the loophole that allowed it was corrected.

 

I think 25 years for US.
So, it's almost time. Start shopping Europe. I'm saying start shopping already because by the time 25 yer hits there will be sharks in those waters eager to buy it and sell it for a profit.

 

Well I have no idea of the process or the loopholes that have been employed but this summer at "993 fest" there was an RS touring with us....so it has been possible to get them into the U.S. and accepted for road use. If pertinent, I believe it had Idaho plates.

 

Idaho plates has nothing to do with it.

You can either:

a) spend a small fortune to make the car EPA/DOT compliant, if possible.

b) import under under "show and display" rules, there are very strict rules on this, but one could say 993 fest was a show and it is highly likely how this car came into the US.

c. Import a car older than 25 years in which case there are no EPA/DOT modifications required.

One note, if you import under b there are no current provisions that would allow you to use c after the 25 year date passes. The car is locked into being a show and display car. Given the value of RS models most likely not an issue for most owners.

 

I've spoken to a few owners over the years and the seem to have imported on the show and display.

 

That boat left awhile ago...

 

Interestingly enough there are two 993's on the approved list. I guess Jerry had to make a case for the last 993! The 964 RS is ok to import now too. So there are no excuses to wait until the 25 year rule kicks in.

From an older version of the docs, shows as 993 RS:



Current version of docs, shows as 993 RS/ GT2





See current list attached:

 

The 993RS that was at my event (993FEST) was a car that was legally imported and went through the tedious and expensive federalization process. It has been here for many years so it made sense then, now it would probably just make sense to wait until 2019-2020 as its 25 years from date of manufacture.

 

Just import it as a C2. Don't ask me how I know. Ha

 

Previous thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...-for-sale.html

And previouser thread: https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...nica-pics.html

Who was the guy in TX who was importing/federalizing about 10 years ago. I briefly thought about on he kinda had for sale in the $90K range, but when Kim got tired of his faux RS (that was less than half the real RS price) it was a no brainer. Given my intended use. Today? Who knew........

And the guy in Idaho is a farmer there, who also spends time in AZ. Where a yellow RS resides up in the mountains, along with a yellow GT2 stablemate. Were displayed at the '14 Monterey Parade concours, so there are plenty of photos in the public domain.

 

I met a guy at Chicago pca road America event I may that claimed to have a black 993 rs

He had a different car there with Eurosport

Dont recall his name

Investment banker

I remember that much ��